A Rumored Fortune

In this enjoyable, intrigue-laden Victorian, Politano (Lady Jayne Disappears) introduces beleaguered but resilient heiress Tressa Harlowe. Tressa and her mother have been summoned to Trevelyan Castle by her estranged father—only to discover on arrival that he was lost at sea two weeks earlier. Tressa’s father, who famously mistrusted banks, had promised her that he would reveal the secret location of the family fortune before his death, but now she is penniless and surrounded by fortune hunters eager to discover the money for themselves. Meanwhile, Donegan Vance, who cares for the estate’s vineyards, makes a deal with Tressa, offering to help locate her inheritance if she agrees to work in the vineyards. Tressa’s mother is convinced the only thing that will save them is if Tressa marries wealthy suitor Andrew James Carrington III, but Tressa is not sold on the idea, especially once she starts to fall for Donegan. As if she doesn’t have enough problems, with no money to pay the estate’s workers, she must find a solution to keep Trevelyan Castle functioning, or face an angry mob. Though faith elements are slight, Politano combines romance and mystery with great skill to create plot twists that will keep readers captivated until the very end. (July)